The National tribune., 1887-11-24

!
tude TO the veterans who fought under the
glorious shadow of the flag.
THE VOTE on THE DISABILITY BILL.
The returns from about all the Posts in
the country on the Disability Pension Bill
| have been received at the National Head
quarters, and the result is a practical
unanimous Endorsement of the bill. The
total vote on the bill was 252, ga, of which
more than 100000 was in favor of the bill.
This result is of the highest Importance
in every way. Its first and best effect is
one for which THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
and the leading men of the GAR. have
strenuously labored that is, TO demonstrate
TO the President, Congress and the country
that the veterans as mass earnestly be-
lieve in the principles of the bill, and that
it is the plain duty of the Government to
grant such relief to the veterans as it pro-
poses.
The soldier-hating press and politicians
have yehemently insisted that this is not sos
that the soldiers generally are not in favor
of such legislation, and all the apparent de-
mand for it is mere clamor raised by
pension.sharks, deadbeats, coffee-eoolers,
substitutes, bounty.jumpers," etc. These
anti-pension shriekers receive much COM
fort and assistance from a characterless
clique, who masquerade as friends of soldiers
in order to more effectually attack, malign
and cripple all those who are really bearing
the heat and burden Of the battle for SOL
diers' rights.
The plan Of Commander-in-C Chief Fairchild
and the GAR. National Pension Committee
Of submitting draft of the proposed pen
sion bill to the Posts for consideration was,
therefore, an eminently wise one. 1t secured
an expression of opinion as TO which there
could be no dispute, and from which there
could be no appeal. There was no influence
brought TO bear upon the Posts TO control
their action. The draft of the bill was sent
TO each one without recommendation or in
dorsement from National Headquarters. II
was simply asked to vote "Yesn or No v
upon it, We said repeatedly that it was not
pretended that the bill was perfect, or that
il embodied all that was justly due the SOL
diers. 1t was merely what in the judgment
of the GAR. National Pension Committee
it was wise TO ask now, what would bring
the surest and quickest relief TO the great
mass Of those who are in urgent need Of re-
lief, and what there was a reasonable pros
pect Of getting from the coming session Of
Congress. We urged with all the force that
could be put into words that the essential
thing was for all TO unite upon this measure
and secure its passage. After that was done
there would be plenty of time and opportu'
nifty to consider and press other measure:
that comrades earnestly favor.
T The result has exceeded our most sanguint
expectations. The vote is Unexpectedly full
and practically unanimous. Never in al
the history of the country has any measur,
received such an overwhelming Endorsement
1t seems to US that this cannot fail to Sc
cure its prompt passage by Congress, and til,
signature of the President 1t makes til,
earnest wish Of the entire body of the sur
yiyOrs of the Union army SO clear and un
mistakable they will be glad to accede to i
? at once.
1t is also a splendid Endorsement Of tn
GAR National Pension Committee and o
! THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE. BY a vot
Of 100000 to 252,274, the comrades of tn
B country have approved the course of tn
e Pension Committee and of THE NATIONAL
b TRIBUHE-the champion of soldiers rights
!, Better than this no one could ask. II is tn
: most hattering tribute ever paid TO an
q newspaper in the country, and we are prou
Y to feel that we have deserved it.
Z OUR CLUB RAISERs.
j. We have the following nleaSant liat =